Rain Could Put a Damper on the Long Weekend in the West

Posted: September 1, 2023 1:58 pm

It could be a soggy end to the summer throughout the West as rain is in the forecast for the Labor Day holiday weekend for many communities. Will your outdoor plans for the unofficial end to summer be washed out? Here is a detailed look at this forecast.

End of Summer Could be a Washout for Parts of the West

Some communities in the West could be under the gun for an entire month’s worth of rain this weekend. Numerous rain showers and thunderstorms will create havoc throughout the region, increasing the threat of flash flooding and travel disruptions as many Americans hope to take to the road and enjoy the fleeting days of summer.

It has been a difficult summer for parts of the West Coast, a part of the country that has dealt with flash flooding, torrential rain, and extreme heat at various times throughout the season. That unsettled weather pattern is set to continue this week as a storm system is forecast to crawl through the area and bring in a significant influx of moisture from the Pacific Ocean.

Widespread rain is predicted to erupt throughout the desert terrain of Southern California and Arizona as a result of the slow-moving weather maker. The storm system is expected to continue to the north and bring rain into the Great Basin and the Rocky Mountain region. The moisture will be enough to create the risk of flash flooding.

The Labor Day weekend is typically a popular time to head to the many national parks in the region, including Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. Park goers will want to stay on top the weather forecast for their area, keeping in mind that conditions can shift on a dime, particularly in the afternoon hours when the monsoon rains generally fire up.

Stormy Start to Weekend in Southwest

The weekend will get off to a bang on Friday afternoon and evening in the Southwest with severe weather expected to make an appearance. Cities in the line of fire for these storms to end the work week include Las Vegas and Phoenix. The line of the storms could extend as far north as Salt Lake City, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and frequent lightning strikes.

Heading into the weekend, the amount of moisture is forecast to pick up in intensity. While September is historically a dry month for much of the West, the amount of rain in store for the weekend could end up equaling the usual monthly total.

For instance, the historical average amount of rain recorded throughout September in Las Vegas is only 0.32 of an inch. Salt Lake City comes in at 1.06 inches for the historical average for this month. Both of these locations have a good chance of picking up rain in excess of these amounts across the duration of this weekend.

Phoenix is forecast to see storms to start the day on Saturday before the sun comes out later in the afternoon. Highs will still hover in the mid 90s with the rain only providing slight relief from the heat.

Moisture Moves to North by End of Weekend

he heaviest rain and storms will move to the north as the weekend continues. The core of the moisture and severe weather impacts will be centered over portions of Idaho and Wyoming by Sunday. For instance, Boise, Idaho should be prepared for morning thunderstorms on Sunday with the clouds remaining throughout the day. More rain will move in during the evening and overnight hours. Highs will remain in the mid 70s in the capital city with overnight lows dipping just below 60 degrees.

The actual Labor Day holiday on Monday will bring drier weather for the bulk of the Southwest. It will be a good day to head to the pool in places such as Phoenix with a forecast high of 99 degrees and mostly sunny skies.

Meanwhile, the central and northern Rockies may see more heavy rain to bring the long weekend to a close. The rain will hold off until later on Monday for places such as Cheyenne, Wyoming. After a mostly dry weekend, you can expect a good shot of scattered thunderstorms putting a damper on the end of the holiday. Highs will hit about 81 degrees with overnight lows plummeting into the low 50s.

It will be a dreary day in Billings, Montana. The college town is forecast to see rainfall totaling about a quarter of an inch and a high of just 62 degrees. This will be a drastic change from Sunday’s forecast that is calling for dry conditions and a high in the low 90s.

Looking to the next week, you can expect dry and largely pleasant conditions for much of the West.

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